JP5155818B2 - Billing management method, terminal device, server device, client server system, billing management program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a billing method in a service for providing application software (hereinafter simply referred to as “application software”) to a client via a network, and in particular, paying attention to the relationship between an accounting office that is a client and a consultant, The present invention relates to a billing management method, a terminal device, a server device, a client server system, a billing management program, and a storage medium for billing the use of software in accordance with the actual situation of the accounting firm industry.

  Conventionally, as a method of charging for the use of application software through a network such as the Internet, (1) In response to a request from a terminal by accepting a collective payment contract clause through a user interface on the network. A technology that transmits to a terminal via a network, installs in the terminal and can be executed on the terminal side, and (2) does not charge when installing the application software in the terminal, but in the usage time or usage period of the application software There are technologies that charge according to the usage, and (3) a technology that does not require downloading of application software to the terminal, such as a web application, and bills according to the usage time or usage period of the application software. Developed for business purposes Form of application service provider (ASP) to sell application software via the network have been taken.

  In addition, in the charging method as in (1), the provider (service provider) cannot recover the development cost unless the application software fee is made uniform and high. On the other hand, the user (service recipient) The billing method (2) to (3) is adopted because it is necessary to pay a fixed fee even when it is not used much, and the balance between cost and convenience may be poor. It has become to.

  Furthermore, with regard to the method of charging according to the usage time, depending on the user's proficiency with the operation of the application software, it may be assumed that the fairness of the fee cannot be achieved, or when simply referring to the data, There are also many problems such as it is difficult to distinguish from the case of creating data. Thus, a method of charging using the usage period as a parameter is used. Such a technique is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.

  In the technology described in Patent Document 1 below, whether or not the usage period can be set is selected for each application program (application software) corresponding to a plurality of jobs constituting a specific job, and can be used only within the usage period. The program can be sampled or rented for a period suitable for the user, and the user can download the necessary program at the required time compared to the method of renting and renting one package for specific business processing. Since it can be rented, it is cheaper.

JP 2002-6974 A

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is suitable for charging according to the amount of use (period) in a usage form that only needs to be used, such as accounting software used in one company. However, like accounting firms, they have a large number of advisors, each of the advisors has different industries, and there are various types of usage that require various tax and accounting services to be developed for each advisory company. Had the disadvantage of not being able to charge properly.

  In other words, usage forms that differ in the amount of work depending on the relationship with the advisor, such as accounting firms, for example, (a) usage patterns in which the accounting firm's service contents and number of transactions differ depending on the service contents desired by the advisor. (Some advisors require corporate tax and settlement services, while certain advisors require only settlement, etc., and the processing differs for each advisor.) Or (b) The number of advisors held by an accounting firm In the case of usage forms that differ from office to office, assuming that there are 30 advisors in the A accounting office and 3 advisors in the B accounting office, the application Despite the fact that the usage frequency of Soft X varies among accounting firms, there is a problem in that usage fees are the same among accounting firms, making it impossible to achieve fairness in terms of fees. In addition, as a result of not being able to achieve fairness in terms of fees, it was also expected that there would be an adverse effect, such as an excessive burden on accounting firms that had just opened a few consultants.

  In this way, it is difficult to charge properly with the charge according to the use period only in the usage amount. To explain this problem more specifically, accounting software used for monthly work, such as construction industry accounting software, is used throughout the year. For this reason, if charging is performed during the usage period of the application software, the usage period is one year, and the cost burden becomes considerably heavy. If the accounting firm's ratio of advisors related to the construction industry is low, the burden on the accounting firm becomes heavier, and accounting firms with a high percentage of advisors related to the construction industry. The fairness in terms of usage charges cannot be achieved.

  The above is a problem when viewed from the accounting firm side, but when viewed from the service provider (ASP) side, application software used for filing work, such as income tax final declaration, year-end adjustment declaration, Application software related to tax return, etc. is used only for a certain period of time within the year, so if you charge for the period of use, you can only calculate a lower usage fee for convenience. In the sense, it was difficult to charge an appropriate usage fee. There was also a similar problem with spot-used application software such as tax returns.

  Therefore, in a service that provides application software for accounting firms, a system that charges according to the amount of usage, for example, the number of usage, that is, the number of processing processed according to the request of the advisor for each software, etc. Employers can expect to calculate an appropriate fee in line with the actual situation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a service form that provides application software (application software related to finance / accounting work) to an accounting office, charging for the use of each application software, It is an object of the present invention to obtain a charge management method, a terminal device, a server device, a client server system, a charge management program, and a storage medium that are appropriately performed in consideration of the relationship between an accounting office and its advisor.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a server device that performs charging management of application software that is charged according to the usage status and is mainly used in the business of an accounting office, and In a system comprising a user terminal device that executes the application software, a billing management method in a case where the user terminal device collects information necessary for billing management on the server device side. A usage status monitoring step for monitoring whether or not it has been used in a business for a destination; and the monitoring results in the usage status monitoring step are aggregated, and the aggregation results are used as usage status information that is necessary information for accounting processing on the server side. And a totaling step to transmit to the network.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the data processing unit realized by executing the application software uses the application software being executed in a business for a new consultant. The new consultant ID is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area. In the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by that.

  In the billing management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when a new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the date information at that time And the usage period information of the application software are stored in association with each other, and when it is determined whether or not the application software is used in a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The determination is made based on information.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the application software stores a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software. In the past, whether or not the access occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant is detected in the past. If it is determined based on the result and is generated due to a business for a new consultant, the ID of the new consultant is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, and the total In step, stored in the predetermined storage area Wherein the aggregating broadcast at a predetermined timing.

  In the billing management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when a new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the date information at that time And the usage period information of the application software is stored in association with each other, and when it is determined whether or not the access is caused by work for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The determination is made on the basis of the information.

  Further, in the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software is configured by the application software. When the processing data storage unit that is the storage destination of the generated file is monitored and a change in the state in the processing data storage unit is detected, the application software is used in a business for a new consultant. Whether or not the status change has occurred, based on the past detection result, and if it has occurred due to work for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the current detection result Associated with application software management information Stores to 憶領 zone, wherein an aggregate step is characterized by aggregating the information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, the determination as to whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is performed based on a consultant file that is a file generated by the application software. .

  Further, in the billing management method according to the next invention, when determining whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file, it is first used when generating the advisor file. The application software is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software.

In the accounting management method according to the next invention, it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on history information of a job executed by the user terminal.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when the consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the current date information and When the application software usage period information is further stored in association with each other, and it is determined whether or not the status change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Further, the following invention is a server device that performs billing management of application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of an accounting office, and a user terminal device that executes the application software, A billing management method executed in a system comprising: a usage status monitoring step for monitoring which consultant used the application software by the user terminal device; and the user terminal device, Aggregating the monitoring results in the usage status monitoring step, and transmitting the aggregation results to the server device as usage status information that is necessary information for the accounting processing on the server device side; Application software used by the user terminal device based on status information Characterized in that it comprises a billing step of calculating a share of royalties, a.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the data processing unit realized by executing the application software uses the application software being executed in a business for a new consultant. The new consultant ID is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area. In the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by that.

  In the billing management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when a new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the date information at that time And the usage period information of the application software are stored in association with each other, and when it is determined whether or not the application software is used in a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The determination is made based on information.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the application software stores a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software. In the past, whether or not the access occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant is detected in the past. If it is determined based on the result and is generated due to a business for a new consultant, the ID of the new consultant is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, and the total In step, stored in the predetermined storage area Wherein the aggregating broadcast at a predetermined timing.

  In the billing management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when a new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the date information at that time And the usage period information of the application software is stored in association with each other, and when it is determined whether or not the access is caused by work for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The determination is made on the basis of the information.

  Further, in the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software is configured by the application software. When the processing data storage unit that is the storage destination of the generated file is monitored and a change in the state in the processing data storage unit is detected, the application software is used in a business for a new consultant. Whether or not the status change has occurred, based on the past detection result, and if it has occurred due to work for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the current detection result Associated with application software management information Stores to 憶領 zone, wherein an aggregate step is characterized by aggregating the information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, the determination as to whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is performed based on a consultant file that is a file generated by the application software. .

  Further, in the billing management method according to the next invention, when determining whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file, it is first used when generating the advisor file. The application software is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on history information of a job executed by the user terminal device.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when the consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the current date information and When the application software usage period information is further stored in association with each other, and it is determined whether or not the status change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Further, in the billing management method according to the next invention, the billing step includes the server device obtaining the tabulation result over a billing target period, and an advisory destination indicated by each tabulation result obtained within the billing target period. A total calculation step for calculating the total number, and a usage fee calculation step for calculating the usage fee based on a charge table indicating the total of the number of advisors and a unit price per advisor that is held in advance. It is characterized by including these.

  Further, the next invention is a charging management method executed in a user terminal device that executes application software that is charged according to the usage situation and is mainly used in the work of an accounting office, wherein the application A usage status monitoring step for monitoring which consultant the software was used for, and a totaling step for counting the monitoring results in the usage status monitoring step and generating usage status information used in billing management It is characterized by.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the data processing unit realized by executing the application software uses the application software being executed in a business for a new consultant. The new consultant ID is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area. In the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by that.

  In the billing management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when a new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the date information at that time And the usage period information of the application software are stored in association with each other, and when it is determined whether or not the application software is used in a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The determination is made based on information.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the application software stores a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software. In the past, whether or not the access occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant is detected in the past. If it is determined based on the result and is generated due to a business for a new consultant, the ID of the new consultant is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, and the total In step, stored in the predetermined storage area Wherein the aggregating broadcast at a predetermined timing.

  In the billing management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when a new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the date information at that time And the usage period information of the application software is stored in association with each other, and when it is determined whether or not the access is caused by work for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The determination is made on the basis of the information.

  Further, in the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, the collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software is configured by the application software. When the processing data storage unit that is the storage destination of the generated file is monitored and a change in the state in the processing data storage unit is detected, the application software is used in a business for a new consultant. Whether or not the status change has occurred, based on the past detection result, and if it has occurred due to work for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the current detection result Associated with application software management information Stores to 憶領 zone, wherein an aggregate step is characterized by aggregating the information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, the determination as to whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is performed based on a consultant file that is a file generated by the application software. .

  Further, in the billing management method according to the next invention, when determining whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file, it is first used when generating the advisor file. The application software is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on history information of a job executed by the user terminal device.

  In the accounting management method according to the next invention, in the usage status monitoring step, when the consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the current date information and When the application software usage period information is further stored in association with each other, and it is determined whether or not the status change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Also, the billing management method according to the next invention is based on the billing table showing the billing unit price per consultant from the server device, the obtained billing table, and the usage status information generated in the counting step. And a usage fee calculating step of calculating a usage fee of the application software.

  Further, the following invention is a terminal device that can execute application software that is charged according to the usage status and that is mainly used in the work of an accounting firm, and for which consultant the application software is used for Usage status monitoring means for monitoring whether it has been used, and monitoring results by the usage status monitoring means are aggregated, and the aggregated results are usage information that is necessary information when the server that provides the application software performs billing processing And tally means for transmitting to the server as information.

  Further, in the terminal device according to the next invention, the usage status monitoring means comprises a data processing unit realized by executing the application software, and the application software being executed is used in a business for a new consultant. The new consultant ID is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the counting means totals the information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by that.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, when the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and When the usage period information of the application software is further associated and stored, and it is determined whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time The determination is made based on the above.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, the usage status monitoring means comprises a monitoring unit implemented by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and the application software stores In the past, whether or not the access occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant is detected in the past. If it is determined based on the result and is generated due to a business for a new consultant, the ID of the new consultant is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, and the total The means stores predetermined information stored in the predetermined storage area. Wherein the aggregate timing.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, when the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and When the usage period information of the application software is further associated and stored, and it is determined whether or not the access is caused by a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Further, in the terminal device according to the next invention, the usage status monitoring means includes a collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and the application software When the processing data storage unit that is the storage destination of the generated file is monitored and a change in the state in the processing data storage unit is detected, the application software is used in a business for a new consultant. Whether or not the status change has occurred, based on the past detection result, and if it has occurred due to work for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the current detection result Associated with application software management information Stores to pass, said collecting unit is characterized by aggregating the stored in a predetermined storage area information at a predetermined timing.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on an advisory destination file that is a file generated by the application software.

  Further, in the terminal device according to the next invention, when determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file, it was first used when generating the advisor file. The application software is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software.

  The terminal device according to the next invention is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on history information of a job executed by the own device.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, when the usage status monitoring unit stores the consultant ID in association with management information of application software in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the application When the software usage period information is further stored in association with each other and it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Further, the following invention is a terminal device that can execute application software that is charged according to the usage status and that is mainly used in the work of an accounting firm, and for which consultant the application software is used for A usage status monitoring unit that monitors whether or not the usage status is monitored, and a monitoring device that aggregates the monitoring results of the usage status monitoring unit, calculates a usage fee for the application software based on the totaled results, and a server device that performs the application software billing management And tally means for notifying the calculated usage fee.

  Further, in the terminal device according to the next invention, the usage status monitoring means comprises a data processing unit realized by executing the application software, and the application software being executed is used in a business for a new consultant. The new consultant ID is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the counting means totals the information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by that.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, when the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and When the usage period information of the application software is further associated and stored, and it is determined whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time The determination is made based on the above.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, the usage status monitoring means comprises a monitoring unit implemented by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and the application software stores In the past, whether or not the access occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant is detected in the past. If it is determined based on the result and is generated due to a business for a new consultant, the ID of the new consultant is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, and the total The means stores predetermined information stored in the predetermined storage area. Wherein the aggregate timing.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, when the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and When the usage period information of the application software is further associated and stored, and it is determined whether or not the access is caused by a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Further, in the terminal device according to the next invention, the usage status monitoring means includes a collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and the application software When the processing data storage unit that is the storage destination of the generated file is monitored and a change in the state in the processing data storage unit is detected, the application software is used in a business for a new consultant. Whether or not the status change has occurred, based on the past detection result, and if it has occurred due to work for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the current detection result Associated with application software management information Stores to pass, said collecting unit is characterized by aggregating the stored in a predetermined storage area information at a predetermined timing.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on an advisory destination file that is a file generated by the application software.

  Further, in the terminal device according to the next invention, when determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file, it was first used when generating the advisor file. The application software is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software.

  The terminal device according to the next invention is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed, based on history information of a job executed by the own device.

  In the terminal device according to the next invention, when the usage status monitoring unit stores the consultant ID in association with management information of application software in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the application When the software usage period information is further stored in association with each other and it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, it is stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. It is characterized in that the determination is performed based on the information.

  Further, the next invention is a server device that performs billing management of application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of an accounting office, and is a terminal device that can execute the application software From the usage status acquisition means for acquiring usage status information indicating how many times the application software has been used in the work for the consultant, and the usage status information acquired by the usage status acquisition means, the terminal Charging processing means for calculating a usage fee for the application software used by the apparatus.

  In the server device according to the next invention, when calculating the usage fee, the charging processing unit first acquires the usage status information over a charging target period and acquires each usage acquired within the charging target period. Calculate the total number of advisors indicated by the status information, and then calculate the usage fee based on the total number of advisors and the billing table indicating the unit price for each advisor that is held in advance. It is characterized by doing.

  The server device according to the next invention has a function of providing the application software to the terminal device.

  A client server system according to the next invention includes the terminal device according to any one of claims 33 to 42 and the server device according to claim 53, 54, or 55. .

  A billing management program according to the next invention causes a computer to execute the billing management method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and 22 to 32.

  A billing management program according to the next invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing on the user terminal device side of the billing management method according to any one of claims 11 to 21.

  A billing management program according to the next invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing on the server device side of the billing management method according to any one of claims 11 to 21.

  A storage medium according to the next invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing the charge management program according to claim 57, 58 or 59.

  The billing management method according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a user terminal installed in an accounting office, and it is determined over a predetermined period whether application software (service target application software) has been used in a business for an advisor. The server monitors and notifies the server of the number of usages detected within a specified period. Therefore, the server considers how many consultants used the service target application software, and charges the service target application software (usage fee). Calculation) can be performed. In other words, it is possible to realize accounting processing that takes into account the relationship between application software users (accounting firms) and their advisors, and it is possible to calculate appropriate charges according to the actual circumstances of each accounting firm. Play.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a suitable system when it is not desired that personal information such as advisor information held by the user be known to the server handling business operator.

  Embodiments of a charging management method, a terminal device, a server device, a client server system, a charging management program, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a computer system having a function as a charge management apparatus for realizing a charge management method according to the present invention and capable of executing a charge management program according to the present invention. This computer system includes a control unit 1, a storage unit 2, an output unit (display unit) 3, an input unit 4, and a communication unit 5.

  In FIG. 1, the control unit 1 executes a charge management program according to the present invention. The storage unit 2 includes various memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and stores programs to be executed by the control unit 1 and necessary data obtained in the course of processing. The output unit 3 is composed of a CRT, LCD (liquid crystal display panel), etc., and displays various screens for the computer system user. The input unit 4 includes, for example, a keyboard 41 and a mouse 42, and is used by a computer system user to input various information. Further, this computer system can be connected to a communication network via the communication unit 5.

  Here, an example of the operation of the computer system until the charge management program according to the present invention becomes executable will be described. In the computer system having the above-described configuration, for example, a charging management program is installed in a disk unit (not shown) from a CD-ROM set in a CD-ROM drive unit (not shown). Then, when the charge management program is executed, the charge management program read from the disk unit is stored in a predetermined location in the storage unit 2. In this state, the control unit 1 executes billing processing according to the program stored in the storage unit 2.

  In the present invention, a CD-ROM is used as a recording medium to provide a program describing the above billing process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, depending on the configuration of the computer system, the capacity of the provided program, etc. It is also possible to use a recording medium such as a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic tape. Moreover, it is good also as using the program provided by transmission media, such as an email and the internet.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system to which the accounting management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. This system includes a server 100 installed on the service center side which is a provider (provider) of application software, and a user terminal 200 installed on the accounting office side. In addition, although the example in case the user terminal 200 is single is shown in FIG. 2, there may be a plurality of cases. Further, when there are a plurality of user terminals 200, they may all exist in the same accounting office, or may be distributed among a plurality of different accounting offices. Each user terminal 200 has a function of communicating with the server 100 via the network 10 such as the Internet. In addition to the Internet, the network 10 corresponds to an in-house LAN, a private LAN, or the like.

  Here, an example in which the user terminal 200 is an accounting processing device of an accounting office and the server 100 is a management device on the service center side will be described, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

  First, an overview of the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  In the user terminal 200, in addition to basic software such as an OS, several minimum application software (basic application software) for performing tax and accounting processing is installed. The user terminal 200 is installed with a service management program for using the service center, and application software (service target application software) for performing new tax or accounting processing as needed via the network 10. ) Is downloaded and charged for the usage of such application software.

  Note that the service target application does not necessarily need to be downloaded via a network, and may be obtained from a service center administrator using a storage medium represented by a CD-ROM or the like.

  Further, the user terminal 200 may be shipped in a state in which a part or all of the service target application is installed.

  Also, the service management program itself can be already installed when the product of the user terminal 200 is shipped, and can be used by accessing a predetermined website when receiving service provision. May be obtained and installed by a person.

  When receiving a download request for a service target application from the user terminal 200, the server 100, which is a management device on the service center side, transmits a corresponding program (application software), and then information on the usage status of each service target application Of the program for each user terminal 200 (for each user when there are a plurality of user contract terminals) at a predetermined timing (for example, at the end of each month) based on the received information. Calculate usage fees.

  The program group to be downloaded can be stored in the server 100, which is a management device, but may be configured as a separate package server in order to facilitate maintenance corresponding to version upgrade. In this case, the user terminal 200 can use the latest version of software.

  Here, referring to FIG. 3, the user terminal 200 acquires desired service target application software from the server 100, and further notifies the server 100 of the usage status of the service target application software. A series of operations when the server 100 performs the charging process based on the above will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the overall operation of the system according to the first embodiment.

  In the system of the present embodiment, when the user terminal 200 acquires and uses the desired service target application software from the server 100, first, in the user terminal 200, the user selects the service target application software to be acquired. Is detected, application for use of the selected service target application software is made to the server 100 (corresponding to the processes (1) and (2) shown).

  When the server 100 receives a use application from the user terminal 200, the server 100 executes a predetermined authentication process or the like, and if it is determined that the use application can be accepted, the service target application that the user terminal desires to acquire is selected. It transmits with respect to the user 200 (process of (3) shown in figure). In the user terminal 200 that has acquired (downloaded) the service target application software, when the service target application software is subsequently used, information (use history) about the use of the service target application software is stored ((4) shown in the figure. ) And (5)), the usage history is totaled at a predetermined timing, and the totaling result is notified to the server 100 as a usage record (processing (6) shown in the figure). If the actual usage status of the service target application software on the user terminal 200 and the usage status on the user terminal 200 recognized by the server 100 are to be always synchronized, the user terminal 200 When the service target application software is used, the server 100 is immediately notified to that effect. That is, immediately after executing the illustrated process (5), the process (6) is performed, so that the usage status is notified to the server 100 as needed. Details of the usage history counting method will be described later, but it counts which advisors each service application software was used in (for some advisories who used the service application software). The count result (count number) is taken as the total result.

  When the usage record is notified from the user terminal 200, the server 100 executes a billing process (a process for calculating the usage fee of the service target application software for the user terminal 200 that is the notification source) based on the usage record. Is recorded as service sales (the processes (7) and (8) shown).

  The above is the outline of the overall operation of the system of the first embodiment.

  Although illustration is omitted, the server 100 and the user terminal 200 have a function of temporarily stopping the use of the service target application software that has already been used, a function of canceling (cancelling) the use contract (server) (Can be canceled from 100), and also has a processing function for the user to purchase the service target application software.

  Next, the configuration of each device (server 100, user terminal 200) included in the system will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user terminal 200, and the user terminal 200 includes a storage unit 210, a control unit 220, a communication unit 230, an output unit 240, and an input unit 250. Furthermore, the storage unit 210 includes a data processing history storage unit 211, a program storage unit 212, and an advisor information storage unit 213, and the control unit 220 includes a totaling unit 221, a program management unit 222, and a data processing unit 223. The control unit 220 also includes a program execution unit (not shown). The user terminal 200 is realized by the above-described computer system (see FIG. 1), and the storage unit 210, the control unit 220, the communication unit 230, the output unit 240, and the input unit 250 of the user terminal 200 are respectively described above. This corresponds to the storage unit 2, the control unit 1, the communication unit 5, the output unit 3, and the input unit 4 of the computer system. In the user terminal 200 of this embodiment, the data processing unit 223 constitutes a usage status monitoring unit.

  The storage unit 210 stores the above-described service management program, basic application software and service target application software, data used in various applications, files generated by the application software, and the like, and the usage status of the service target application software It also stores information. More specifically, in the storage unit 210, the usage status (data processing history information) of the service target application software is stored in the data processing history storage unit 211, the service management program and various applications are stored in the program group storage unit 212, Advisory destination information used when generating various applications and data processing history information is stored in the advisory destination information storage unit 213. Various other information is stored in a predetermined area in the storage unit 210.

  The control unit 220 controls the entire user terminal 200. In particular, desired service target application software (service target application software designated by the user) is acquired from the server 100 (see FIG. 2) via the communication unit 230, and the acquired service target application software is executed and each service is acquired. Collect usage information for the target application. In the control unit 220, the program management unit 222 realizes a function of acquiring desired service target application software from the server 100, and the data processing unit 223 executes each service target application to generate a file of related business and data processing The history information is generated, and the counting unit 221 collects usage status information of each service target application. The totaling unit 221 and the program management unit 222 are realized by executing a service management program, and the data processing unit 223 is realized by executing one or more service target application software.

  The communication unit 230 communicates with the server 100 connected via the network 10 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 220. For example, in accordance with an instruction from the program management unit 222, communication for acquiring a service target application is performed. When the usage status information of each service target application is received from the totaling unit 221, it is transmitted to the server 100.

  The output unit 240 is a display panel such as an LCD, and displays various menu screens while using the application. The output unit 240 displays a list of applications that can be selected (acquired) in the operation of acquiring the service target application and notifies the user. , Etc. Note that the output unit 240 includes a printing device such as a printer, and can also print out application software products (book table) and the like.

  The input unit 250 acquires various types of information from the user. That is, the input unit 250 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used when a user performs activation and termination operations of various applications, and when inputting data using various applications.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the server 100, and the server 100 includes a storage unit 110, a control unit 120, and a communication unit 130. Furthermore, the storage unit 110 includes a program group storage unit 111, a user information storage unit 112, and a charging information storage unit 113, and the control unit 120 includes a service management unit 121 and a charging processing unit 122. The server 100 is also realized by the above-described computer system (see FIG. 1), similarly to the user terminal 200 described above. That is, the storage unit 110, the control unit 120, and the communication unit 130 of the server 100 correspond to the storage unit 2, the control unit 1, and the communication unit 5 of the computer system, respectively. In the server 100, the service management unit 121 constitutes a usage status acquisition unit.

  The storage unit 110 stores various application software (service target application software) that can be provided to the user terminal 200, information on the user who is the application software provider (service use registration is completed, and the service target application software is (Acquired user information), billing information for each user's use of service target application software, and the like are stored. More specifically, in the storage unit 110, various types of service target application software are stored in the program group storage unit 111, user information is stored in the user information storage unit 112, and charging information is stored in the charging information storage unit 113. The Other various information is stored in a predetermined area in the storage unit 110.

  The control unit 120 controls the entire server 100. In particular, in response to a request from the user terminal 200, the service target application software is read from the program group storage unit 111 of the storage unit 110 and transmitted to the requesting user terminal 200. Also, information about the usage status (usage status information) is acquired from each user terminal 200 using the service target application software, and each user terminal 200 (used when there are a plurality of contract terminals for the user). The usage fee for the application software subject to service is calculated. In the control unit 120, the service management unit 121 receives a request from the user terminal 200 and transmits the requested service target application software, and the charging processing unit 122 calculates a usage fee for the service target application software. The service management unit 121 and the billing processing unit 122 are realized by executing a management program.

  The communication unit 130 communicates with each user terminal 200 connected via the network 10 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 120. For example, when a service target application software acquisition request is received from the user terminal 200, the request is transferred to the service management unit 121, and the service target application software corresponding to the request is received from the service management unit 121. It is transmitted to the requesting user terminal 200. Further, when usage status information of each service target application is received from the user terminal 200, it is transferred to the accounting processing unit 122. The billing processing unit 122 stores the usage status information in the storage unit 110.

  Next, an operation when the user terminal 200 acquires and uses service target application software from the server 100 in the system configured as described above will be described.

  In the user terminal 200 (see FIG. 4) in which the service management program described above is installed, a program indicating that the user (user) has performed a predetermined initial operation (use start operation) using the input unit 250 When the management unit 222 detects, the program management unit 222 transmits the service target application software that can be used (downloaded) at that time via the communication unit 230 to the server 100 (more specifically, the service management unit 121 of the server 100). ) When the service application software information is received as a response to the inquiry, the list is displayed on the output unit 240 (see FIG. 6). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of service target application software displayed on the output unit 240. After that, the application software to be serviced (such as the corporate tax program shown in FIG. 6) is selected by the user (the “Application column” shown in the figure is checked and the usage period is selected as necessary), and then the selection is made. When the end operation is executed, the program management unit 222 performs a registration request process (contract process) for starting the use on the server 100 based on the selection result. Contract processing is performed for each service target application software. Thereafter, the program management unit 222 of the user terminal 200 and the service management unit 121 of the server 100 communicate with each other, send and receive necessary information, and when a predetermined procedure ends normally, the service management unit 121 selects the user. The service application software thus read is read from the program group storage unit 111 and transmitted to the program management unit 222 via the communication unit 130. When receiving the service target application software from the service management unit 121 (when downloading is completed), the program management unit 222 stores it in the program group storage unit 212.

  After executing the above processing, the control unit 220 of the user terminal 200 manages the usage status of the service target application software. That is, when the acquired service target application software (service target application software stored in the program group storage unit 212) is being executed, the control unit 220 monitors whether the advisor registration process has been performed. The consultant registration process is a process necessary for the user to perform tax and accounting processes for each consultant, and this process is performed for each service target application software. More specifically, this is a process in which each service target application software generates, registers, and updates a processing file for each advisor. When the advisor registration process is performed, the usage status information is updated. This process will be described in detail. First, the control unit 220 displays a list (advisor destination list) on the output unit 240 based on the advisor destination information stored in the advisor destination information storage unit 213. Then, the user confirms the displayed list of advisors and selects an advisor to be registered as an advisor. Then, the data processing unit 223 acquires the selected advisor information and stores it in the data processing history storage unit 211 in association with the management information of the service target application software being executed. The information stored in the data processing history storage unit 211 is stored in the server 100 as usage status information at any time (as soon as the information is stored) or at regular intervals (for example, at the end of each month) by the totaling unit 221. Be notified. When notifying every fixed period, the totaling unit 211 notifies the server 100 after counting the number of pieces of information stored in this period.

  Here, an example in which the consultant information storage unit 213 and the data processing history storage unit 211 are configured separately has been described. However, the consultant information storage unit 213 stores both pieces of information stored therein. May be. The billing start timing may be effective immediately after downloading the service target program (application software), starting the application, and registering the advisor to be processed. For usage within a day (for example, 3 days), the usage fee is deferred as a trial mode, and after the trial period (trial mode) ends, the user is inquired whether to continue using it. In the above configuration, a formal contract may be made (billing starts).

  In addition to the various processes described above, the user terminal 200 also displays the usage status of each service target application software, the service cancellation process, and the like. Since these processes are general, detailed description is omitted.

  Next, an operation when the server 100 provides service target application software in response to a request from the user terminal 200 and calculates (charges) a usage fee according to the usage status will be described.

  When the server 100 (see FIG. 5) performs a predetermined initial operation (use start operation) on the user terminal 200 and receives an inquiry about downloadable (providable) service target application software, the control unit 120 The service management unit 121 transmits information (list information) of all service target application software that can be provided at that time to the inquiring user terminal 200 via the communication unit 130. Note that “information on all service target application software that can be provided at that time” may be generated in advance and stored in a predetermined area in the storage unit 110, or service management may be performed when an inquiry is received. The unit 121 may confirm the status of the program group management unit 111 and generate the program based on the confirmation result.

  After that, when information on the service target application software selected by the user is received from the user terminal 200, the server 100 performs a registration request acceptance process for starting the service target application software indicated by the received information. Specifically, the service management unit 121 collates user information (user information) transmitted together with information about the selected service target application software and information stored in the user information storage unit 112. It is determined whether it is a request from a regular user. If it is determined that the request is from an authorized user, the service target application software indicated by the received information is read from the program group storage unit 111 and transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 130.

  In addition, when the usage status information of the service target application software is transmitted from the user terminal 200, the server 100 retains the usage status information and performs a charging process based on the stored user status information. Do it at the timing. This charging process is performed by the charging processing unit 122. Specifically, when the usage status information of the service target application software is received via the communication unit 130, the charging processing unit 122 calculates the usage fee of the corresponding service target application software based on the received usage status information. In calculating the usage fee, for example, the unit price information for each advisory service for each service target program is acquired from the accounting table as the basis of accounting stored in the accounting information storage unit 113 in advance. The usage fee is calculated based on the unit price information and the usage status information. Here, the usage status information is information indicating, by the number of cases, how many consultants use one service target application software. Therefore, the billing processing unit 122 calculates the usage fee by multiplying the usage status information and the unit price information.

  The usage status information of the service target application software may be periodically transmitted for each period that each user terminal 200 has determined in advance, or the server 100 may send a fixed period to each user terminal 200. You may request it every time. In addition, each user terminal 200 transmits usage status information irregularly (for example, when a predetermined operation is executed in the service target application), and the server 100 aggregates the received usage status information at regular intervals. Thus, the usage fee may be calculated every time the usage fee information is received or the usage status information is received, and the calculated usage fee may be aggregated for every predetermined period.

  Subsequently, in the above system, how the server 100 and the user terminal 200 detect the usage status (number of processing cases) of each service target program, and how the usage fee is calculated based on the detected usage status. Will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of advisory destination information (advisory destination information table) stored in the advisory destination information storage unit 213 of the user terminal 200 (see FIG. 4). The consultant information includes a consultant name, an address, a business type, a corporation / individual, and the like. In other words, the advisory information storage unit 213 stores various information on a corporation (company, etc.), an individual business owner, or an individual that the accounting office that is the user of the user terminal 200 has as an advisory customer.

  In this example, GT Mart (a fictitious company name) is recorded as a corporation as an advisory name corresponding to the advisory ID (0120), and an S store is assigned as an advisory name corresponding to the advisory ID (0356). (A fictitious individual company name) is recorded as an individual.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data processing history information (data processing history management table) stored in the data processing history storage unit 211 of the user terminal 200, and this table shows a usage program (service target application software). Information), program code (utilization program management information), consultant ID, and the number of processes, which are registered and updated by the data processing unit 223. The same program (service application software) may be used in the work of different advisors, in which case multiple advisors (advisor IDs) are associated with one program (program code) It is done. As can be seen from the figure, the number of processing cases is the number of advisor IDs associated with each program code. Specifically, in the settlement program (program code = XX021), there are three requests from advisors, and the advisor IDs are 0120 (= GT Mart), 0356 (= S store) and 0456 (= JD Construction). ) Is recorded, and three cases are counted. Similarly, the number of processing cases is counted as 2 in the corporate tax program, and the number of processing cases is counted as 1 in the salary calculation program. Counting of the number of processing cases is performed by the totaling unit 221.

  Note that various types of information stored in the storage unit 210 may be configured in a file format or a database system.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of billing information (billing table) stored in the billing information storage unit 113 of the server 100 (see FIG. 5). This table includes a usage program (service target application software information), The program code (use program management information), category (use program category information), and unit price are recorded. For each use program, the unit price per customer within a certain period (for example, per month) is recorded. ing. In the example shown in the figure, the unit price per advisory for a fixed period of the settlement program (program code = XX021) is ¥ 100, and per advisory for a fixed period of the corporate tax program (program code = AB123). The unit price is ¥ 300, and the unit price per consultant within a certain period of the salary calculation program (program code = PL025) is ¥ 150.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information (user information table) stored in the user information storage unit 112 of the server 100, and includes a user ID, a user name, an address, and the like. This user information is information of a person (usually an accounting firm) who is permitted to use the service (providing service target application software) provided in the system shown in FIG. It is registered by the administrator of the server 100 by applying in advance. This user information table is referred to when processing a service contract application request or cancellation, and also when calculating a final service usage fee.

  Note that various types of information stored in the storage unit 110 may be configured in a file format or a database system.

  The following describes how the server 100 and the user terminal 200 perform billing processing using each of the above information.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the data processing unit 223 registers the usage status (data processing history information) of each service target application software in the data processing history storage unit 211 in the user terminal 200. .

  The service management program used in the user terminal 200 is activated when a predetermined operation is executed by the user after being downloaded and installed in the system (or after being preinstalled in the system from the beginning) (step). S1). By starting the service management program, the user terminal 200 realizes the totaling unit 221 and the program management unit 222 among the components in the control unit 220 shown in FIG. When the service management program is installed in the user terminal 200, the service management program may be activated and reside in the system memory when the system is activated. Further, the data processing unit 223 of the control unit 220 is realized by starting the service target application software.

  Next, when a predetermined service target application software is activated and a user's selection operation (menu) of a consultant to be processed by the activated service target application software is selected by the user (step S2), the data processing unit 223 first accesses the advisor information storage unit 213 to display a list of registered advisors on the output unit 240 (see FIG. 12), and then the user selects the advisor to be processed (see FIG. 12). 13), when it is detected that the advisor registration process has been performed (step S3), a usage detection screen (see FIG. 13) is displayed and stored in the data processing history storage unit 211 based on the detection result. The existing data processing history information table (see FIG. 8) is updated (step S4). Specifically, the program code that is the management information of the service target application software and the identification information (advisor ID) of the selected advisor are associated and registered in the data processing history information table.

  Here, the data processor 223 displays a list of advisor information stored in the advisor information storage unit 213 on the screen, and the advisor information selected from the displayed advisor information list, It is described as a precondition process for counting the number of advisors to be processed in the service target application software by storing it in the data processing history storage unit 211 in association with the management information of the service target application software. However, when the service management program drives the data processing unit 223 to monitor the access to the consultant information storage unit 213 of the service target application software and detects the creation of the consultant file, the detection result Based on this, by updating the data processing history information table in the data processing history storage unit 211, Q destination number may be used as the premise processing for counting. Here, the consultant file is a file related to financial / accounting work created by using some kind of application software.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the totaling unit 221 counts the usage status of each service target application software in the user terminal 200.

  In the user terminal 200 in a state where the service management program is activated, the counting unit 221 performs a counting process for each predetermined period (for example, every month end). For example, when the usage state is totaled, the totaling unit 221 first accesses the data processing history storage unit 211 and reads the history information (step S11). Then, a subtotal of the number of processing cases is calculated for each service target program, and the calculation result is written in the subtotal column of the data processing history information table (see FIG. 8) to update the table (step S12). In addition, the totaling unit 221 displays the updated data processing history information table on the screen of the output unit 240 (step S13). Thereafter, when an operation for ending the screen display confirmation on the output unit 240 is executed by the user, the total result is transmitted to the server 100 via the communication unit 230 (step S14). This total result includes information (user ID) for identifying the user who uses the user terminal 200 on the server 100 side, identification information (program code) of the used program, and the number of processes for each used program. It is. It should be noted that, by using the latest count result on the server 100 side, coherency with the data processing history information on the user terminal 200 side can be ensured. The user terminal 200 performs an operation in consideration of not counting the number of processing times redundantly (calculating a subtotal). The operation for avoiding the duplicate count may be realized using any existing technique.

  Note that the processing in step S13 can be omitted. In other words, after updating the data processing history information table, the tabulated result may be immediately transmitted to the server 100 without displaying the updated data processing history information table on the screen.

  As mentioned above, although the process step which transmits the result totaled by the user terminal 200 side to the server 100 was demonstrated, whenever it performs consultant registration processing in the user terminal 200, it is a server immediately or at an appropriate timing. 100 may be notified. That is, after the processing by the data processing unit 223 described above (processing in which the consultant information selected by the user is associated with the management information of the service target application software being executed and stored in the data processing history storage unit 211) is completed, The totaling unit 221 may immediately notify the server 100 of information (one case) newly stored in the data processing history storage unit 211. However, only the program code and user ID, which are information necessary for the accounting process, are notified. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the server 100 from being notified of personal information (information of the consultant) handled by the user while preventing an unnecessary increase in the amount of information flowing through the network. In this case, since the aggregation process is performed on the server 100 side, the aggregation process (see FIG. 15) executed by the aggregation unit 221 of the use terminal 200 described above is not executed.

  In addition, the usage status may be confirmed by the user on the screen at any time separately from the counting result. At that time, by executing the same processing as the above-described tabulation processing steps (corresponding to steps S11 to S13), for example, for each service target application software used in the user terminal 200 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to display how many advisors have been processed, and, as shown in FIG. 17, after the data is aggregated using the advisor name as a key, the advisors processed as shown in FIG. It is also possible to display which program was used every time.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the server 100 performs a charging process for the use of the service target application software by the user terminal 200.

  In the server 100 in a state where the management program is activated, the service management is performed when the aggregation result transmitted from the user terminal 200 (aggregation result aggregated by the aggregation unit 221 and transmitted by executing step S14) is received. The unit 121 receives the aggregation result via the communication unit 130 (step S21), and further collates the received aggregation result with user information (see FIG. 10) stored in the user information storage unit 112 (see FIG. 10). Step S22). When the collation is completed, the total result is stored in the user information storage unit 112. Note that these steps S21 and S22 may be performed by the billing processing unit 122. Further, the billing processing unit 122 accesses the billing information storage unit 113 at regular intervals (for example, every month), reads billing information (corresponding to the billing table shown in FIG. 9), reads the billing information and Based on the total result stored in the user information storage unit 112, the usage fee for a certain period of time for the user using the user terminal 200 is calculated (step S23). Specifically, for each service target application software indicated by each tabulation result received from the user terminal and stored in the user information storage unit 112 within the charging target period (after executing the previous charging process). The total number of usages is calculated, and the usage fee in the accounting target period is calculated based on the obtained calculation result and the accounting information.

  In the case of a system configuration in which a plurality of user terminals 200 are connected to the server 100, the server 100 calculates a usage fee for each of the user terminals 200. A usage form in which one accounting office has a plurality of user terminals 200 is also conceivable. Therefore, when a plurality of user terminals 200 are installed in one accounting office, the server 100 collects usage fees for the user terminals 200 of the same accounting office, and finally uses the accounting office. Calculate the fee. Note that the server 100 is conscious of only the user (accounting office) without being conscious of each user terminal 200 (without distinguishing from which user terminal the aggregate result is transmitted). When the processing is performed, the processing for calculating the final usage fee by collecting the usage fees of the user terminals 200 for the accounting office in which the plurality of user terminals 200 are installed becomes unnecessary.

  Here, the details of the billing process shown in step S23 of FIG. 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, from the ABC accounting office (see FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 8, aggregated data (3 cases, corporate tax program: 2 cases, salary calculation program: 1 case) ) Is transmitted, the aggregated data is stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 110 in association with the user ID or the user name (see FIG. 10), and is called and charged in the aggregation process. Referring to the table (see FIG. 9), (financial program: 3 cases) × (unit price ¥ 100) + (corporate tax program: 2 cases) × (unit price ¥ 300) + (payroll program: 1 case) X (charge unit price ¥ 150)..., The charge for each fixed period is calculated, and the charge process for each user is performed.

  Note that the billing table may be rewritten according to a charge change or the like in conjunction with a separately prepared sales management server or the like.

  Further, FIG. 9 shows a charging table when the unit price of charges is determined for each type of service target application software (use program), but the amount of user terminals possessed by the user (accounting office) is shown. Accordingly, the unit price may be changed as appropriate. For example, in a billing process for an accounting office having 10 user terminals, a unit price obtained by discounting a normal unit price is used. Also, the unit price may be discounted according to the number of service target application software being used (the number of types of service target application software being used by the accounting office), not the number of user terminals. Good. Further, the unit price of the service may be discounted according to the number of processed application software (number of uses). Further, the unit price of the service unit may be discounted according to the usage period of the service target application software. Furthermore, the discount rate is determined based on all or part of the above multiple conditions (number of user terminals, number of service target application software used, number of usages, usage period). May be. As a mounting method in these cases, in the system, a charging table may be held for each user ID, or a correction coefficient may be managed for each user ID.

  Further, when the aggregation unit 221 of the user terminal 200 performs the aggregation process according to the procedure illustrated in FIG. 15, the aggregation unit 221 performs the aggregation process and the server 100 performs the accounting process when the aggregation result is notified to the server 100. It is also assumed that the timing to perform does not match. Therefore, the server 100 instructs each user terminal 200 to transmit the latest aggregation result when performing the charging process, and after acquiring the latest aggregation result from each user terminal 200, You may make it perform the process of step S23 shown in the said FIG. When each user terminal 200 is instructed by the server 100 to transmit the latest aggregation result, the above-described aggregation processing is executed.

  In addition, as described above, in the data processing history information table, the number of newly registered advisory IDs as advisory IDs is newly registered for each usage program (service target application software). Can be counted as the number of processing cases, or the advisory IDs used in the usage program may be aggregated (in either method, charging is performed according to the number of advisors processed for each usage program. Is possible).

  In addition, it may be configured so that the user can arbitrarily decide when to end use of the service for each usage program, but in this case, for example, the year-end adjustment program is used only for the last few months of the year, The unit price will be set higher. For this reason, a system that cannot be canceled during a relatively long contract period with a one-year contract, etc., and a low unit price per month can be used to reduce initial installation costs and make the system easy to install for users. You can also (image of installment payment).

  Thus, in the system of the present embodiment, for example, a user terminal installed in an accounting office monitors and detects which service target application software is used in the business for which advisor, and detects it within a predetermined period. Of the number of usages, the number of usages in the business of different advisors is aggregated and notified to the server, and the server reports the aggregated results notified from the user terminal (each service application software is used in the business for several advisors) The charging process (calculation of usage fee) for each service target application software is performed based on the information indicating whether the service has been performed. Thereby, it is possible to realize a billing process that takes into account the relationship between the accounting firm and its adviser, and it is possible to calculate an appropriate fee according to the actual situation of each accounting firm.

  In addition, the information transmitted from the user terminal to the server does not include any information about the consultant of the user (accounting office that uses the user terminal). Since it does not access any advisory information held by the terminal, it is possible to provide a suitable system when it is not desirable for the server operator to know personal information such as advisory information that the user has. .

  Next, Example 2 will be described. In the present embodiment, a modification of the user terminal 200 shown in the first embodiment will be described. In the user terminal according to the first embodiment, when the service target application software generates a new consultant file, the data processing unit 223 realized by the service target application software updates the data processing history information. It was. That is, the update function of the data processing history information has been realized by each service target application software. On the other hand, in the user terminal of the present embodiment, the update function of the data processing history information is realized by the service management program. Below, the detail of the user terminal of a present Example is demonstrated. In order to distinguish between the user terminal 200 of the first embodiment and the user terminal of the present embodiment, in the following description, the user terminal of the present embodiment is described as a user terminal 200a.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user terminal 200a according to the second embodiment. The difference between the user terminal 200a and the user terminal 200 according to the first embodiment is that the storage unit 210 and the control unit 220 store the storage unit. This is a point replaced with 210a and control unit 220a. Further, as illustrated, the storage unit 210a is obtained by adding a processing data storage unit 214 to the storage unit 210, and the control unit 220a replaces the totaling unit 221 of the control unit 220 with the totaling unit 221a. Further, the data processing unit 223 is replaced with a program execution unit 224 and a monitoring unit 225. Since other parts are the same as those of the user terminal 200 of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. In the user terminal 200a of this embodiment, the monitoring unit 225 constitutes a usage status monitoring unit.

  The processing data storage unit 214 stores the consultant file generated by the program execution unit 224.

  The aggregation unit 221a collects usage status information of each service target application, as with the aggregation unit 221 described in the first embodiment. However, the collection processing procedure is partially different.

  The program execution unit 224 reads various application software (basic application software or service target application software) designated by the user from the program group storage unit 212 and executes them. Further, when the user uses the application software being executed and, as a result, an advisory destination file is generated, the generated advisory destination file is stored in the processing data storage unit 214.

  The monitoring unit 225 is realized by executing the service management program of the present embodiment, and the program execution unit 224 accesses the storage unit 210a, specifically, the advisor information storage unit 213 and the processing data storage unit 214. The data processing history information (data processing history management table) in the data processing history storage unit 211 is updated as necessary based on the monitoring result.

  The access monitoring operation by the monitoring unit 225 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of an access monitoring operation by the monitoring unit 225. The monitoring unit 225 sends the program execution unit 224 to the storage unit 210a (more specifically, the advisor information storage unit 213 and the processing data storage unit 214). Shows the processing procedure for monitoring the access of the.

  As shown in the figure, the monitoring unit 225 constantly monitors whether the advisory file has been generated, registered, or updated by the program execution unit 224 (whether the status of the advisory file has changed) (step S31). ). If the state change is not detected (No at Step S31), the monitoring is continued. On the other hand, when the state change is detected (Yes at Step S31), the advisory file whose state has changed is the service target program, that is, the usage status. In response to this, it is confirmed whether or not the application software is a service target application that is charged on the server 100 side (step S32). As a result of the confirmation, if the program is not a service target program (No at Step S32), the process returns to Step S31, and the monitoring of the change in the state of the advisor file is continued. On the other hand, in the case of the service target program, whether the advisor corresponding to the advisor destination file whose state has changed is the same as the advisor corresponding to the advisor destination file detected in the past, that is, the data in the data processing history storage unit 211. It is confirmed whether the processing history information has been updated based on the detection result (step S33). As a result of the confirmation, if they are the same (step S33, Yes), it is further confirmed whether or not the state has changed due to reuse within the utilization period (step S34).

  Note that the processes in steps S33 and S34 described above prevent the number of usages from being counted repeatedly when a certain service target application software is used multiple times for the same advisor during the usage period. Process. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an additional usage fee from being generated even if a certain service target application software is used a plurality of times by the same advisor during the usage period. Further, in the processing of these steps S33 and S34, the determination is made with reference to the data processing history information (data processing history management table) stored in the data processing history storage unit 211. An example of this data processing history information is shown in FIG. As illustrated, the data processing history information stored in the data processing history storage unit 211 of the user terminal 200a is the data processing history information stored in the data processing history storage unit 211 of the user terminal according to the first embodiment described above ( Use start date information and period setting information are added to (see FIG. 8).

  Returning to the description of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 21, if the state is changed due to reuse (step S34, Yes), the process returns to step S31, and monitoring of the state change of the advisor file is continued. On the other hand, if the state is not changed due to reuse (No in step S34), it is determined that the use has been resumed after the use period of the service target program (service target application software) has elapsed, and the data in the data processing history storage unit 211 The processing history information is updated (step S35). Specifically, out of the information registered in the data processing history information table, the information on the use start date of the advisor (the advisor corresponding to the advisor file whose status has changed) of the service target program is processed. Update to (the day on which the status change was detected).

  Further, when it is determined in step S33 that they are not identical (step S33, No), it is determined that the service target program has started to be used for the work of a new advisor, and the advisor of the service target program (described above) Data processing history information in the data processing history storage unit 211 (Figure) by newly registering the processing date (the date when the status change is detected) as the use start date of the consultant file corresponding to the consultant file whose state has changed. 22) is updated (step S36). Specifically, the program code of the service target program, advisor information (advisor ID), usage start date and usage period (period setting) are associated and registered as a new record of data processing history information.

  The aggregation unit 221a executes the aggregation process based on the data processing history information in the data processing history storage unit 211, for example, every month. As for the details of the aggregation process, the aggregation unit 221a charges the service target application software corresponding to each record based on the usage start date and the usage period (setting period) for each record of the data processing history information. The number of cases judged to be charged is counted for each service target application software. The aggregation result is recorded as the number of processing cases of the data processing history information (see FIG. 22). In addition, the aggregation unit 221a notifies the server 100 of the aggregation result.

  Here, a method for determining whether or not a certain service target application software is charged will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage situation of a certain service target application software for each consultant, and illustrates an example of service target application software for corporate tax (hereinafter referred to as a corporate tax application). is there. In addition, an example is shown in which the usage period of the corporate tax application is one year. In the example shown in FIG. 23, the corporate tax application is first started to be used for the operations of the advisor A and the advisor B in November 2008, and then in April 2009, the advisor The service has been started for C business. Furthermore, after the usage period of Advisor A and Advisor B ended in mid-November 2009, the corporate tax application was not used for the operations of Advisor A. It is used in late November 2009. The usage status (number of usages) for the month is shown below the month display.

  In this case, as shown in the figure, the counting unit 221a is a period in which the use is started for the business of the consultant A and the consultant B, and the use is not started for the business of the consultant C 2008 The usage status of the corporate tax application from November to March 2009 is counted as “2 cases”. In addition, the period of use for the operations of the consultant A and the consultant B is not completed, and the period after the start of use for the business of the consultant C is from April 2009 to October 2009. The usage status of the corporate tax application is counted as “3”. In addition, after the usage period for the business of the advisor A and the advisor B has expired, the usage period for the business of the advisor C has not expired, and the use has resumed for the business of the advisor B The usage status of the corporate tax application in the period from November 2009 to March 2009 is not counted as the number of usage for the advisor A, but is counted as “2”. Here, the case where the use is resumed corresponds to, for example, calling the advisor file after the use period, or the next carry-over process in the service target software managed for each fiscal year. Note that the usage start date information (the usage start date information in the data processing history information illustrated in FIG. 22) for the advisor B of the corporate tax application is the monitoring unit 225 when the usage is resumed in late November 2009. Updated by On the other hand, the information on the use start date for the advisor A is not updated even after the use start date for the advisor B is updated, and the state in the middle of November 2008 is maintained unless the use is resumed thereafter. The

  When the data processing history information in the data processing history storage unit 211 is updated by the monitoring unit 225, the totaling unit 221a immediately notifies the update content to the server 100, and the server 100 determines each update based on the notification content. It may be possible to confirm whether or not the service target application software is charged, and to perform a charging process. In other words, the process of calculating the number of processes (see FIG. 22) in the data processing history information by the totaling unit 221a may be performed on the server 100 side (for example, the service management unit 121). Further, the data processing history information within the usage period is aggregated on the user terminal 200a side, and the aggregation result is transmitted to the server, and then the usage fee is calculated based on the accounting information (accounting table) on the server 100 side. Although described, the user terminal 200a side includes a charging information storage unit that stores charging information (billing table), and the user terminal 200a side calculates the usage fee and transmits it to the server 100. Good. The billing information may be acquired from the server 100 when calculating the usage fee.

  In addition, the charging information (charging table) may not be held on the user terminal 200a side, and the charging information (charging table) may be downloaded from the server 100 and then acquired. In this case, if the billing information (billing table) is appropriately updated on the server 100 side in conjunction with the sales management server, the latest billing information (billing table) is obtained on the user terminal 200a side. In addition, it is possible to manage the billing information (billing table) for each user individually on the server 100 side, making corrections according to the usage status of the user, etc. Detailed billing processing can be performed.

  As described above, in the user terminal 200a of the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 225 of the control unit 220a constantly monitors the access to the storage unit 210a of the execution unit (program execution unit 224) of the service target application software. The usage status of each service target application software is determined based on the usage period for each target application software and the past monitoring result (the usage start date stored when monitoring is performed in the past). Thereby, the same effect as the system of Example 1 is obtained, and furthermore, in each service target application software, information for recognizing its own usage status externally (corresponding to the above data processing history information) is updated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the processing of each service target application software from becoming complicated.

  In addition, even for software that is used only for one month of the year, it is possible to charge the usage fee of the software with the image of installment payment by setting the usage period to one year and charging every month. It is possible to provide a suitable environment for accounting firms with a small number of consultants, such as when it is shortly.

  Note that, in the user terminal 200 shown in the first embodiment, information on the use start date and the usage period is also registered in the data processing history information table, and the same operation (monitoring) as the user terminal 200a of the present embodiment is monitored. Operation performed by the unit 225 and the totaling unit 221a) may be executed.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, a modification of the user terminal 200 shown in the first embodiment will be described. In the user terminal of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the data processing history information is immediately updated when a consultant file is newly generated by the service target application software or when an existing consultant file is updated. (Configuration maintaining the real-time property of data processing history information update) was employed. On the other hand, a present Example demonstrates the user terminal of the structure which does not maintain the real-time property of data processing history information update. In addition, in order to distinguish the user terminal of Example 1 and 2 and the user terminal of a present Example, in the following description, the user terminal of a present Example is described as the user terminal 200b.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user terminal according to the third embodiment. The difference between the user terminal 200b and the user terminal 200a according to the second embodiment is that the control unit 220a is replaced with the control unit 220b. Is a point. Further, as illustrated, the control unit 220b is obtained by replacing the monitoring unit 225 of the control unit 220a with a collection analysis unit 226. Since other parts are the same as those of the user terminal 200a of the second embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the user terminal 200b of the present embodiment, the collection analysis unit 226 constitutes a usage status monitoring unit.

  The collection analysis unit 226 accesses the processing data storage unit 214 at a predetermined timing, and checks whether the status of the consultant file stored in the processing data storage unit 214 has changed compared to the previous access. To do. If a change is detected as a result of the confirmation, the data processing history information in the data processing history storage unit 211 is updated based on the detection result.

  Further, when information on the use start date and use period of each service target application software is held in a predetermined area of the storage unit 210a, the following processing may be performed to update the data processing history information. Is possible. First, the collection analysis unit 226 accesses the processing data storage unit 214 at a predetermined timing, examines an advisory destination file stored in the processing data storage unit 214, and consults an advisory destination included in a data string constituting the advisory destination file. The name (or advisor ID) is detected. Next, based on the detected customer name (or customer ID), the service target software used to create the checked customer file is identified (with which service target software the customer file was created). Check). If the identified service target software is within the usage period (when the current date has not passed the set usage period from the start date), data processing is performed based on the detection result. Data processing history information in the history storage unit 211 is updated (see FIG. 25).

  FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a processing procedure when the usage status of the service target application software is confirmed in the user terminal 200b according to the third embodiment and usage status information to be notified to the server 100 is generated based on the confirmation result. It is a flowchart. Note that the usage analysis of the service target application software is performed by the collection analysis unit 226, and the generation of usage status information is performed by the counting unit 221a.

  As illustrated, in the user terminal 200b, the collection analysis unit 226 starts a search of the processing data storage unit 214 at a predetermined timing when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when a certain period of time has elapsed. Step S41). In the search process, the collection analysis unit 226 selects any one of the stored advisory destination files, and confirms whether or not it is an advisory destination file created using the service target application (step S42) If it was created using the service target application (step S42, Yes), whether or not this consultant file was newly created (added) after executing the previous search process If it has not been newly created, it is checked whether it has been updated (step S43). Whether it has been updated is determined based on the time stamp information. Specifically, if the date / time indicated by the time stamp is after the previous search processing execution date / time, it is determined that the date / time is updated. If it is detected that the file has been newly created or updated (step S43, Yes), the advisor information (advisor ID) included in the advisor file is used to create the advisor file. The data processing history information is updated by storing it in the data processing storage unit 211 in association with the information (program code) of the service target application used (step S44). The configuration of the data processing history information stored in the data processing storage unit 211 of this embodiment is the same as that shown in the first embodiment (see FIG. 8). In step S43, whether or not the advisory file is newly created or updated is not distinguished, and the date and time indicated by the timestamp of the advisory file is simply after the previous search processing date and time. Only whether or not may be judged.

  After updating the data processing history information, it is determined whether to end the search process (step S45). If it is determined to continue the process (step S45, No), the process returns to step S42. On the other hand, when it is determined that the process is to be ended (step S45, Yes), the fact is notified to the totaling unit 221a, and the totaling unit 221a is based on the data processing history information stored in the data processing history storage unit 211. Usage status information is generated by collecting usage statuses of service target application software (step S46). Note that the usage status information generation processing by the tabulation unit 221a is the same as the usage status information generation processing by the tabulation unit 221 described in the first embodiment. Further, in step S45, when it is determined that the processing in steps S42 to S44 has been completed for all consultant files stored in the processing data storage unit 214, it is determined that “search processing is to be terminated”. .

  Further, when it is determined in step S42 that the application is not created using the service target application (step S42, No), and when it is determined that it is not newly created or updated in step S43 (step (S43, No), the process proceeds to step S45, and it is determined whether or not to end the search process.

  In the description given with reference to FIG. 26, for the sake of simplicity, the timing at which the collection analysis unit 226 executes the usage status confirmation process and the aggregation unit 221 perform the collection process (use status information generation process). Although an example in which the execution timing is synchronized has been described, these timings may not be synchronized. For example, the collection analysis unit 226 may execute processing with a short cycle (for example, a daily cycle), and the counting unit 221 may execute processing with a long cycle (for example, one month cycle).

  As described above, in the user terminal 200b of the present embodiment, the collection analysis unit 226 of the control unit 220b generates a data string that forms an advisory destination file generated and updated by the execution unit (program execution unit 224) of various application software. Each service target application is detected by detecting an included consultant name (or consultant ID) and determining whether the detected consultant name (or consultant ID) is within the usage period for the service target software. We decided to judge the use situation of software. Thereby, the effect similar to the system of Example 2 can be acquired.

  In the third embodiment, the collection analysis unit 226 confirms whether or not the advisor file stored in the processing data storage unit 214 has changed (whether the file has been added or updated) at a predetermined timing, and detects the change. In this case, the user terminal 200b that updates the data processing history information based on the detection result (detection content) has been described. On the other hand, when there is a function of holding history information of jobs executed by each application program (a function in which the program execution unit 224 records information of each executed job in the storage unit 210a), a consultant It is also possible to update the data processing history information based on the held job history information (hereinafter referred to as “job execution record”) instead of the detection result of whether or not the file has changed. In this embodiment, a user terminal that updates data processing history information based on job execution records will be described.

  The user terminal of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the user terminal 200b (see FIG. 24) shown in the third embodiment, and the collection analysis unit 226 uses the data processing history information in the data processing history storage unit 211. Only the operation to update is different. Therefore, the user terminal of the present embodiment is also described as the user terminal 200b. Further, although the job execution record may be stored in any area in the storage unit 210a, the description will be made assuming that the job execution record is stored in the processing data storage unit 214 in order to simplify the description.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of job execution recording, in which information on jobs performed by the program execution unit 224 by executing various application software is recorded. In the illustrated example, the date and time (start date and time and end date and time), user terminal (terminal name), user (person in charge), job name, and consultant ID are associated and recorded as one job information. Here, among the illustrated jobs, accounting data input and trial calculation table output are executed using basic applications (applications that are not subject to billing processing on the server side), and the remaining jobs are service target applications. In the following description, it is assumed that the job is a job executed using (an application to be charged on the server side).

  As shown in FIG. 27, when the job execution record is analyzed and the data processing history information is updated, the collection analysis unit 226 determines whether the job is a job executed by the service target application based on the job name, for example. When it is determined that the application has been executed (in the case of (1) in the figure), the corresponding consultant ID is confirmed (the operation in (2) in the figure). Specifically, first, the combination of the information of the service target application used for executing the detected job (corresponding to the program code used in the above description) and the consultant ID is the update processing (job execution record). In the analysis process), it is checked whether it matches the combination of the service target application and the consultant ID corresponding to the job that has already been detected, that is, whether the same combination has already been detected. The combination is stored in the data processing history storage unit 221. This avoids storing the same combination repeatedly. The above processing is performed for all the recorded jobs. When the analysis of the job execution record is completed, the collection analysis unit 226 stores the execution date and time, and the next data processing history information update process is executed after the stored execution date and time. It is determined whether the job is a job executed by the service target application. In the example of FIG. 27, the description of the operation of confirming the consultant ID when the settlement job is detected is omitted, but actually, it is executed by the service target application when the salary calculation job and the settlement job are detected. In these cases, the corresponding consultant ID is further confirmed to check whether the combination has already been detected (whether the pair has already been stored in the data processing history storage unit 221). Also, the accounting data input job and the trial calculation table output job are skipped.

  Note that the processing procedure executed by the collection analysis unit 226 follows the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, in this embodiment, the collection analysis unit 226 starts searching for job execution records in the processing data storage unit 214 (processing corresponding to step S41 in FIG. 26). It should be noted that the part that has not been searched in the previous search process (recording of jobs added after the previous search execution time) is the target of the search process. Then, it is determined whether or not the job is executed by the service target application (processing corresponding to step S42). Further, in the case of a job executed by the service target application, it is confirmed whether or not the detected job and the corresponding partner ID have already been detected (processing corresponding to step S43). Furthermore, if the job / advisor ID pair is not already detected, the detected job / advisor ID pair is stored in the data processing history storage unit (processing corresponding to step S44). The above processing is executed for all jobs that have been executed since the previous job execution record analysis processing. When the data processing history information update processing (processing corresponding to steps S41 to S45) is completed, step S46 described in the third embodiment is executed.

  As described above, in the user terminal 200b of the present embodiment, the collection analysis unit 226 of the control unit 220b is based on the job execution record in which the history of jobs executed by the execution unit (program execution unit 224) of various application software is recorded. Therefore, it was decided to determine the usage status of each service target application software. Even in such a case, the same effect as that of the system of the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, each user terminal performs a process of counting the number of usages of each service target application software (a process of counting, for each service target application software, how many consultants have used the service). Although the case where it performs is demonstrated, you may make it perform this count process by the server side. That is, the user terminal collects data processing history information and transmits it to the server, and the server determines how many advisory applications each service target application was used for based on the received data processing history information. The accounting process may be performed in consideration.

  In addition, the user terminal of each of the above embodiments stores the capacity (data amount) of the consultant file for each service target application software together with the above-described data processing history information in the data processing history storage unit 211, When sending the aggregation results to the server, send the data including the data amount of the consultant file (however, if there are multiple files generated by the same application software for the same service) Good. In this case, the server side performs accounting processing in consideration of the data amount of the consultant file. That is, even if the number of processing cases is the same, if the amount of data is large, it is determined that the corresponding application software has been used more, and the usage fee of this user is adjusted to be higher than that of other users. Correction processing such as these becomes possible. Note that when the usage fee is adjusted based on the data amount, an average of the data amount is taken for a user having a plurality of user terminals.

  In addition, the production number and the like are recorded in the nonvolatile memory on the user terminal 200b side, and when the service contract is made, not only the user ID but also the user terminal 200 can be distinguished on the server 100 side. When the number of connected service contract terminals of the same user exceeds the predetermined number for each target software, the server 100 may discount the usage fee or set the upper limit of the usage fee for the service target software. The usage fee may be limited by an upper limit value.

  Further, when the usage fee of the service target software approaches the upper limit value (for example, 90% of the upper limit value), the server 100 notifies the user terminal 200 of a warning, and the user terminal 200b prompts the user to encourage purchase. You may display.

  In addition, for each user ID, an upper limit value of the total usage fee for all service target software may be registered in advance, and the usage fee may be adjusted to be limited by the upper limit value.

  As described above, the charge management method according to the present invention provides application software (application software related to finance / accounting work) to an accounting office, for example, and charges the usage fee according to the usage status. Useful for. In addition, when taking the same form as an accounting firm, that is, a service form having a similar relationship with a consultant in a user, for example, charging processing when providing application software to a patent office, a law firm, etc. It can also be applied to.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the computer system which is provided with the function as a charge management apparatus for implement | achieving the charge management method concerning this invention, and can execute the charge management program concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system to which the charge management method of Example 1 concerning this invention is applied. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the whole operation | movement of the system of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user terminal in the system to which the charge management method of Example 1 is applied. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the server in the system to which the charge management method of Example 1 is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of the list of service object application software. It is a figure which shows an example of adviser information (adviser information table). It is a figure which shows an example of data processing history information (data processing history management table). It is a figure which shows an example of charging information (charging table). It is a figure which shows an example of user information (user information table). It is a figure which shows an example of a process sequence in case a data processing part registers the utilization condition (data processing history information) of each service object application software in a data processing history storage part in a user terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen display. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen display. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen display. In a user terminal, it is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence in case a total part totalizes the utilization condition of each service object application software. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display in the case of displaying the utilization condition of a service object program according to a program. It is a figure which shows an example in the case of collecting the information of the program currently used for every consultant, and comprising in a table format. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display in the case of displaying the utilization condition of a service object program according to a consultant. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence in case a charge process part performs the charge process with respect to utilization of the service object application software by a user terminal in a server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user terminal of Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the access monitoring operation | movement by a monitoring part. It is a figure which shows an example of the data processing history information used with the system of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization condition for every consultant of a certain service object application software. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user terminal of Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the storage method of an advisor destination file. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when usage status information is generated in the user terminal according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a job execution record.

Explanation of symbols

1, 120, 220, 220a, 220b Control unit 2, 110, 210, 210a Storage unit 3, 240 Output unit 4, 250 Input unit 5, 130, 230 Communication unit 10 Network 100 Server 111, 212 Program group storage unit 112 Use Person information storage unit 113 Billing information storage unit 121 Service management unit 122 Billing processing unit 200, 200a, 200b User terminal 211 Data processing history storage unit 213 Consultant information storage unit 214 Processing data storage unit 221, 221a Totaling unit 222 Program management Unit 223 data processing unit 224 program execution unit 225 monitoring unit 226 collection analysis unit

Claims (60)

In a system comprising a server device that performs billing management of application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of an accounting firm, and a user terminal device that executes the application software, the server device Charge management method when the user terminal device collects information necessary for charge management on the side,
A usage monitoring step for monitoring which consultant the application software was used for, and
Aggregating the monitoring results in the usage status monitoring step, and transmitting the aggregation results to the server as usage status information that is necessary information in the accounting process on the server side;
A billing management method comprising: In the usage status monitoring step, when the data processing unit realized by executing the application software uses the application software being executed in a business for a new advisor, the ID of the new advisor is Store it in a predetermined storage area in association with application software management information,
The billing management method according to claim 1, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the ID of the new consultant is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further correlated. And when determining whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The charge management method according to claim 2. In the usage status monitoring step, a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software monitors whether the application software has accessed the storage unit, and performs access. If it is detected, it is further determined whether the access has occurred due to the use of the application software in a business for a new consultant based on the past monitoring results, and If it is caused by business, store the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area,
The billing management method according to claim 1, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the ID of the new consultant is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further correlated. And when determining whether or not the access has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, making a determination based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time The accounting management method according to claim 4, wherein In the usage status monitoring step, the collection and analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software stores processing data as a storage destination of a file generated by the application software A change in status is detected in the processing data storage unit, and whether or not the status change has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant. A determination is made based on the past detection result, and if the problem occurs due to a business for a new consultant, the consultant ID specified by the present detection result is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined memory. Store in the area,
The billing management method according to claim 1, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   7. The charge management method according to claim 6, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on an advisory file that is a file generated by the application software. When determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file,
First, the application software used when generating the advisor file is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software. The billing management method described.   7. The charge management method according to claim 6, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on history information of a job executed by the user terminal.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further stored in association with each other. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The billing management method according to any one of claims 6 to 9. It is executed in a system comprising a server device that performs billing management of application software that is charged according to usage conditions and is mainly used in the work of an accounting firm, and a user terminal device that executes the application software A billing management method,
A usage status monitoring step for monitoring which consultant used the application software by the user terminal device; and
The user terminal device totalizes the monitoring results in the usage status monitoring step, and transmits the totaling results to the server device as usage status information that is necessary information for the accounting process on the server device side;
A billing step in which the server device calculates a usage fee of application software used by the user terminal device based on the usage status information;
A billing management method comprising: In the usage status monitoring step, when the data processing unit realized by executing the application software uses the application software being executed in a business for a new advisor, the ID of the new advisor is Store it in a predetermined storage area in association with application software management information,
The billing management method according to claim 11, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the ID of the new consultant is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further correlated. And when determining whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The billing management method according to claim 12. In the usage status monitoring step, a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software monitors whether the application software has accessed the storage unit, and performs access. If it is detected, it is further determined whether the access has occurred due to the use of the application software in a business for a new consultant based on the past monitoring results, and If it is caused by business, store the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area,
The billing management method according to claim 11, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the ID of the new consultant is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further correlated. And when determining whether or not the access has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, making a determination based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time The billing management method according to claim 14, wherein In the usage status monitoring step, the collection and analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software stores processing data as a storage destination of a file generated by the application software A change in status is detected in the processing data storage unit, and whether or not the status change has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant. A determination is made based on the past detection result, and if the problem occurs due to a business for a new consultant, the consultant ID specified by the present detection result is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined memory. Store in the area,
The billing management method according to claim 11, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   17. The charge management method according to claim 16, wherein the determination as to whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is made based on a consultant file that is a file generated by the application software. When determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file,
First, the application software used when generating the advisor file is specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software. The billing management method described.   The charge management method according to claim 16, wherein the determination as to whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is made based on history information of a job executed by the user terminal device.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further stored in association with each other. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The billing management method according to any one of claims 16 to 19. The charging step includes:
A total calculation step in which the server device acquires the aggregation result over a charging target period and calculates the total number of advisors indicated by each of the totaling results acquired within the charging target period;
A usage fee calculation step of calculating the usage fee based on a total of the number of advisors and a billing table indicating a unit price per advisory that is held in advance;
The charge management method according to claim 11, further comprising: A billing management method that is executed in a user terminal device that executes application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of an accounting firm,
A usage monitoring step for monitoring which consultant the application software was used for, and
A totaling step for totalizing monitoring results in the usage status monitoring step and generating usage status information used in billing management;
A billing management method comprising: In the usage status monitoring step, when the data processing unit realized by executing the application software uses the application software being executed in a business for a new advisor, the ID of the new advisor is Store it in a predetermined storage area in association with application software management information,
The billing management method according to claim 22, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the ID of the new consultant is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further correlated. And when determining whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The billing management method according to claim 23. In the usage status monitoring step, a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software monitors whether the application software has accessed the storage unit, and performs access. If it is detected, it is further determined whether the access has occurred due to the use of the application software in a business for a new consultant based on the past monitoring results, and If it is caused by business, store the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area,
The billing management method according to claim 22, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the ID of the new consultant is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined storage area, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further correlated. And when determining whether or not the access has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, making a determination based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time 26. The charge management method according to claim 25. In the usage status monitoring step, the collection and analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software stores processing data as a storage destination of a file generated by the application software A change in status is detected in the processing data storage unit, and whether or not the status change has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant. A determination is made based on the past detection result, and if the problem occurs due to a business for a new consultant, the consultant ID specified by the present detection result is associated with the management information of the application software and stored in a predetermined memory. Store in the area,
The billing management method according to claim 22, wherein in the counting step, the information stored in the predetermined storage area is totaled at a predetermined timing.   28. The charge management method according to claim 27, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on a consultant file that is a file generated by the application software. When determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file,
The application software used when generating the advisor file is first specified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the use period of the specified application software. The billing management method described.   28. The charge management method according to claim 27, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on history information of a job executed by the user terminal device.   In the usage status monitoring step, when the consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the current date information and the usage period information of the application software are further stored in association with each other. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The billing management method according to any one of claims 27 to 30. A usage fee for acquiring a usage fee for the application software based on the acquired accounting table and the usage status information generated in the aggregation step. Calculation step,
The charge management method according to any one of claims 22 to 31, further comprising: It is a terminal device that can execute application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of accounting firms,
Usage status monitoring means for monitoring which consultant the application software was used for, and
Aggregating means for aggregating the monitoring results by the utilization status monitoring means, and transmitting the aggregation results to the server as utilization status information that is necessary information when the server that provides the application software performs accounting processing;
A terminal device comprising: The usage status monitoring means includes a data processing unit realized by executing the application software. When the application software being executed is used in a business for a new advisor, the ID of the new advisor is used. Store it in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software,
The terminal device according to claim 33, wherein the counting unit totals information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.   When the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the usage status monitoring unit further associates the current date information and the usage period information of the application software. And when determining whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The terminal device according to claim 34. The usage status monitoring unit includes a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and monitors whether or not the application software has accessed the storage unit. Is detected based on past monitoring results to determine whether the access has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant. If it occurs due to the business for the new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software,
The terminal device according to claim 33, wherein the counting unit totals information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.   When the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the usage status monitoring unit further associates the current date information and the usage period information of the application software. And when determining whether or not the access has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, making a determination based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time The terminal device according to claim 36, characterized in that: The usage status monitoring means comprises a collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and is processing data that is a storage destination of a file generated by the application software When monitoring the storage unit and detecting a state change in the processing data storage unit, whether or not the state change has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant, Is determined based on the past detection result, and is generated due to a business for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the detection result is associated with the management information of the application software in accordance with the predetermined information. Store it in the storage area,
The terminal device according to claim 33, wherein the counting unit totals information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.   The terminal device according to claim 38, wherein the determination as to whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is performed based on an advisory file that is a file generated by the application software. When determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file,
The application software used when generating the advisor file is first identified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the utilization period of the identified application software. The terminal device described.   The terminal device according to claim 38, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on history information of a job executed by the own device.   In the case where the advisory ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the usage status monitoring unit further stores the current date information and the usage period information of the application software in association with each other. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. 42. The terminal device according to any one of claims 38 to 41. It is a terminal device that can execute application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of accounting firms,
Usage status monitoring means for monitoring which consultant the application software was used for, and
Totaling the monitoring results by the usage status monitoring unit, calculating the usage fee of the application software based on the totaling result, and a totaling unit for notifying the calculated usage fee to the server device that performs the application software billing management,
A terminal device comprising: The usage status monitoring means includes a data processing unit realized by executing the application software. When the application software being executed is used in a business for a new advisor, the ID of the new advisor is used. Store it in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software,
44. The terminal device according to claim 43, wherein the counting means totals information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.   When the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the usage status monitoring unit further associates the current date information and the usage period information of the application software. And when determining whether or not the application software has been used in a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The terminal device according to claim 44. The usage status monitoring unit includes a monitoring unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and monitors whether or not the application software has accessed the storage unit. Is detected based on past monitoring results to determine whether the access has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant. If it occurs due to the business for the new consultant ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software,
44. The terminal device according to claim 43, wherein the counting means totals information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.   When the usage status monitoring unit stores the new consultant ID in association with the management information of the application software in a predetermined storage area, the usage status monitoring unit further associates the current date information and the usage period information of the application software. And when determining whether or not the access has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, making a determination based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time The terminal device according to claim 46, characterized in that: The usage status monitoring means comprises a collection analysis unit realized by executing service management software for monitoring the usage status of the application software, and is processing data that is a storage destination of a file generated by the application software When monitoring the storage unit and detecting a state change in the processing data storage unit, whether or not the state change has occurred due to the application software being used in a business for a new consultant, Is determined based on the past detection result, and is generated due to a business for a new advisor, the advisor ID identified by the detection result is associated with the management information of the application software in accordance with the predetermined information. Store it in the storage area,
44. The terminal device according to claim 43, wherein the counting means totals information stored in the predetermined storage area at a predetermined timing.   49. The terminal device according to claim 48, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on a consultant file that is a file generated by the application software. When determining whether the state in the processing data storage unit has changed based on the advisor file,
The application software used when generating the advisor file is first identified, and then the determination is made based on the use start date and the utilization period of the identified application software. The terminal device described.   49. The terminal device according to claim 48, wherein whether or not the state in the processing data storage unit has changed is determined based on history information of a job executed by the own device.   In the case where the advisory ID is stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the management information of the application software, the usage status monitoring unit further stores the current date information and the usage period information of the application software in association with each other. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the state change has occurred due to a business for a new consultant, the determination is performed based on information stored in the predetermined storage area at that time. The terminal device according to any one of claims 48 to 51. A server device that performs billing management for application software that is charged according to usage and is mainly used in the work of an accounting firm,
Usage status acquisition means for acquiring usage status information indicating how many times the application software has been used in a business for an advisor from a terminal device capable of executing the application software;
Billing processing means for calculating the usage fee of the application software used by the terminal device based on the usage status information acquired by the usage status acquisition means;
A server device comprising: The billing processing means
When calculating the usage fee,
First, the usage status information is acquired over a charging target period, and the total number of advisors indicated by each usage status information acquired within the charging target period is calculated. 54. The server device according to claim 53, wherein the usage fee is calculated based on a billing table indicating a unit price of a consultant that is held.   55. The server device according to claim 53, wherein the server device has a function of providing the application software to the terminal device. A terminal device according to any one of claims 33 to 42;
A server device according to claim 53, 54 or 55;
A client-server system comprising:   A charge management program for causing a computer to execute the charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and 22 to 32.   A billing management program for causing a computer to execute processing on the user terminal side of the billing management method according to any one of claims 11 to 21.   A billing management program that causes a computer to execute processing on the server device side of the billing management method according to any one of claims 11 to 21.   60. A computer-readable storage medium storing the charge management program according to claim 57, 58 or 59.

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